USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston (its past and present) and prospects for the future, with sketches of prominent men > Part 28
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INDEPENDENCE SQUARE - Looking North.
the majority of which led to the centre which was marked by a hand- some fountain.
Later the sloping sides of the park, which had already been named Independence Square, were seeded and in a short time were covered with grass. Trees were set out in all parts of the square and a massive iron fence was erected, enclosing the entire place. Trees were also set out on all the streets upon which the square touched and in a short time the place began to assume its present handsome appearance.
It has received continuous attention since that time and within a few years a shrubbery hedge was planted about its border in place of the iron fence, and other improvements made. About two years ago in order to give convenient approach to the square from East Second Street, large granolithic steps were constructed at the corner of M and East Second Streets and N and East Second Streets. Each season the park receives attention and as a result is one of the prettiest places of its kind in South Boston.
Independence Square contains six and one half acres.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Commonwealth Park is one of the most recent additions to these places of public recreation. It is situated on the Commonwealth Lands and bounded by Mt. Washington Avenue, D Street, Cypher Street, and C Street and was set apart shortly after the filling in of the flats.
After the land had been set aside, little was done with it, and even today it gives no indication of being a park. In 1897, how- ever, the matter of placing a public gymnasium on the ground was introduced. It met with much favor and through the efforts of Alderman M. W. Norris and others an appropriation was secured and soon the structure was under way.
It was finally completed having all the necessary equipment for a place of its kind. This brought the park into more prominence than
LINCOLN PARK, Emerson, M and Fourth Streets
before, but outside of keeping the ground cleaned and in condition to play base-ball, foot-ball and other games nothing has been done with it.
The present idea is to use the grounds as an open air gymnasium, rather than fitting them up for park purposes, and this will eventually be done. Last year a small track was laid out for running purposes and it is expected that it will be not a great while before the entire place will be fitted up as an open air gymnasium.
Commonwealth Park contains 314,580 square feet.
Lincoln Park is a small piece of land at the junction of East Fourth, Emerson and M Streets, which came into the possession of the city when it purchased the land upon which the Tuckerman School stands.
300
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
It was laid out shortly after the construction of the school, more to add to the surroundings than to serve as a place of rest or recreation, for it was completely enclosed. Many pretty trees were planted along the street lines, the centre was sccded for grass and several flower beds were cut out and filled with various plants to add to its appearance.
Thus it has remained since it was first set apart. It contains 9,5 10 square feet.
The M Street Playground which comprises the territory bounded by East First, M and East Second Streets, has proved to be a most popular resort since it was laid out some three years ago, additional interest being manifested in it with each succeeding year.
M STREET PLAYGROUND. First, Second and M Streets.
As yet but little has been done to bring the playground up to the condition planned, as it is the intention to have an open air gymnasium on one section of it, while the remaining ground is to be used for various sports.
The ground, which contains about five acres, was formerly a part of the land reserved for the institutions at this part of South Boston and had been used to some extent for farming and gardening. When the insane hospital was discontinued the place fell into disuse and nothing was done with it until the city took it for its present purpose.
The easterly end was immediately laid out and a bicycle and running track constructed while the westerly section was reserved for base ball and foot ball. Later hydrants were placed at convenient points for the purpose of supplying water with which the ground could be flooded in the winter, thereby providing an excellent and safe place for skating.
This year, 1901, the city government has appropriated $9500 for an out-door gymnasium on this playground and plans are now being made for the equipment of the same.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
BOULEVARDS.
It was not until quite recently that South Boston had a thorough- fare that could be classed with the style of road known as boulevards, the Strandway, and even this, though much work has been done on it, is far from what it is planned to be. Besides, the future will give this district another thoroughfare of this kind which will be laid out on the present line of roadbed of the Old Colony Division of the New York New Haven and Hartford Railroad and which it is proposed to call Columbia Avenue.
The Strandway which extends from the southwest corner of Marine Park to, and connecting with Columbia Road at Mt. Vernon Street, which in turn connects with Franklin Park, will, when completed, be one of the finest roadways in or about Boston, and the only one that continues for so great a distance along the very shores of a bay, a feature, that in itself adds to its beauty as well as its novelty.
The benefits of such a thoroughfare, connecting Marine Park and Franklin Park, made themselves more and more evident as Marine Park began to assume its planned appearance, with the result that in 1889. plans for the construction of this connecting link were prepared and submitted.
As a result, favorable action was taken and shortly afterward 145 acres of lands and flats between Burnham's wharf and Marine Park were taken, and the work of construction was soon in progress, and since that time has been continued, but owing to various matters, principally the lack of sufficient funds, the work has suffered long delays at frequent intervals.
The Strandway as planned extends from Marine Park to Columbia Road, the distance being some two miles, following the shore the entire way. As designed it is a beautiful shore drive with a total width of IIO feet, including a broad road, wide walks, and planted spaces, besides a wide strip of clean sandy beach.
Since the work began a solid granite retaining wall surmounted by an iron fence has been constructed, which extends from the west beach at Marine Park to the foot of O Street and along this wall and between its terminals have been constructed the Public Landing and four magnificent clubhouses, that of the South Boston Yacht Club, the Columbia Yacht Club, the Puritan Canoe Club and the Boston Yacht Club. Further to the west and extending almost from K Street to M Street has been constructed the new, beautiful and spacious L Street Bath-house with its distinct and separate sections, for females, men and boys, the finest and most popular bathing place in or about the city.
A short distance west of this and directly at the foot of K Street is another clubhouse, that of the Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club. From here the shore line makes an inward sweep and extends along East Ninth Street to Burnham's wharf. This property is the one remaining lot that has not been secured as yet, but which it is expected will be very soon, thereby forming one continuous line of roadway.
302
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
The Strandway will, on its completion, bc one of the most attrac- tive features of the park system, with its continuous and varying pros- pccts over the bay and its shores, the islands to the southeast and the Blue Hills to the south all combining to make it a most attractive feature of the park system.
Columbia Avenue, if the plans already arranged are carried out, will make a most important thoroughfare, but as yet only a very small section of it has received attention. It will not only provide a park drive, but will give an almost direct avenue from the junction of the Strand- way and Columbia Road into the city proper by way of Dorchester Avenue, an advantage which alone is an important feature.
The relocation of the tracks of the Old Colony Division of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, will leave the present roadbed unoccupied, and as it forms a direct connection with the Strandway and thence to Columbia Road, being adjacent to many important streets, its advantages as a boulevard are at once evident.
When the roadbed was first built, it was necessary to put in bridges over D and E Streets and one over the tracks at Dorchester Street, necessitating the lowering of the grade of the former and an increase in the grade of the latter. Besides, this roadbed shut off many important streets and has not infrequently been referred to as South Boston's " great wall of China."
With the advent of the new boulevard it is expected that all these objections will be obliterated. The bridges will be removed, the road- bed will be brought down to the normal grade at D and E Streets, Dorchester Street will be brought down to its former grade, and most important of all, the numerous streets that at present terminate at the roadbed, will be properly graded to meet the new roadway and will then be extended, giving them various outlets. This will greatly alter the present appearance of the large section through which the roadbed runs and will be an improvement of inestimable benefits.
Columbia Avenue, as planned, will be 80 feet wide and will have besides an excellent roadway, sidewalks and planted sections, similar to other park roads. It will connect with the Strandway near the foot of Boston Place and will form a part of the latter, until the incline to the Mt. Vernon Street Bridge is reached, where it will continue in a straight line, extending beneath the bridge, while the Strandway turns slightly to the south, connecting with Columbia Road and continuing to the west under that name.
Columbia Avenue at present, terminates under the bridge, but it is the plan in future years to continue it across the marsh lands at this point, to connect with Savin Hill, which will not only make it a valuable adjunct to the park system, but will give an excellent park drive from Marine Park to Savin Hill or to the various sections of the city proper.
CHAPTER V. BATHS AND GYMNASIA.
L-Street Bath the foremost in the country - First house built in the late sixties - Increased attendance results in improvements and greater facilities - Shower baths introduced - Women's Bath at the Point - Removed to foot of M Street - Discon- tinued - New location foot of L Street - Magnificent new building, built in 1901 - Description - Innovations of 1901 -Gymnasia - Commonwealth Park resort - Cost of same- Ward 15 gymnasium in contemplation - Description.
W HEN the topic of public baths is under discussion the name of the L-Street Bath, must, necessarily be brought up, not alone because it is the largest and finest of its kind in the world, but because it is the original free public bath, the advent of which marked an important epoch, not only in the matter of municipal ownership, but in the provision of such an institution free to the public.
It was in the late sixties that the first L-Street Bath came into existence when a small wooden building was erected at the foot of L Street, its sides containing doors leading into various closets where the bathers could disrobe and leave their clothing while enjoying their bath.
This structure was for men and boys, and it proved so popular that it was soon impossible to accommodate those who came to the place owing to the lack of facilities. This led to improvements and greater facilities. The old building was reconstructed, the closets on the west side discontinued to provide a workshop, and in order to make up this loss and to give additional closet room a long, low building was constructed at right angles to the old building which was devoted entirely to closets. A stone wall extending from the southerly end of the old building far out into the water was also constructed to serve the dual purpose of protecting the sandy beach from storms and to shut off the view to those outside.
With these additional accommodations the bathers were well pro- vided for, but only for a short time, for the popularity of the place had spread to such an extent that persons residing within a radius of eight or ten miles were its patrons, and each year saw the numbers increas- ing to such an extent that it was not long before the place became inadequate to the demands made upon it.
From year to year improvements and additions were made to the bath, particularly in late years, when, even though extra facilities were made for the accommodation of the thousands of bathers, the latter were always in excess of the former, so that by degrees all the room available was taken up in increasing the size of the place.
During the season of 1898 four shower baths were placed at the disposal of the bathers, more closets were built for the men, and several hundred lockers were provided for the boys and set up in what was
304
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
formerly used as the repair shop. The following winter these lockers were removed and fifty-nine closets built in their stead, and there was also placed in this section 666 pigeon holes for the use of the boys for the storage of their clothing. The number of closets for the men was increased to 276 and other improvements were made so that it was thought there would be ample room for the season of 1899. Under ordinary conditions there would have been, but the popularity of the bath was manifested by a still greater increase in attendance, that made it as inadequate as ever, and an entirely new structure was therefore decided upon.
In the meantime the success of the L-Street Bath brought about the construction of a free bath for females at City Point near the foot of East Fifth Street and this proved to be a success.
With the advent of Marine Park it became necessary to secure another location, and this was obtained at the southerly end of M Street where a building was constructed extending from which were high board fences which were united by another fence at the outer end, enclosing quite a large section. These fences shut off the view, kept the bathers from getting beyond their depth, and kept the water smooth at all times.
This place was used until the land was taken as a part of the Strand- way, and in order to provide a place for the female bathers a floating bath-house was stationed at L-Street Bridge. For three seasons it remained there, and although many availed themselves of its advantages it was not conveniently located and did not prove to be as attractive as a beach bath.
During the winter season of 1898 the Bath Commission secured three small buildings, formerly used as voting booths, and setting these up on piles, side by side, just west of the men's bath-house, workmen began to alter and make necessary improvements in them for the use of women and girls, so that during the season of 1899 they had a beach bath at their disposal once again and the attendance showed that it was greatly appreciated.
In fact it proved to be such a popular place, that like the men's it was unable to accommodate those who visited it during the hot days of 1900, and as a result, provision was made for the female bathers in the plans drawn at that time for a new bath-house at this place.
These plans were carried out during the spring of 1901, the result being the present magnificent structure, the finest public bath-house in the world, and having the largest attendance of any other similar bath in the country.
As the new building was constructed with the idea of having three
4l distinct sections, one for women and girls, another for men and the chased about November, 1898, and very shortly afterward plans and
1. 1.1.1
1
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L STREET BATH-HOUSE -- Water View.
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L STREET BATH-HOUSE - Land Viow.
306
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
third for boys, it will readily be seen that the structure must necessarily be large. Its length is 820 feet, and its general width 34 feet.
There are three central buildings, one for each of the three sec- tions, the most prominent of these being the mens', directly at the foot of L Street. The Strandway facade is constructed in panel form and painted cream and brown. This building is about 20 feet wide and 30 feet long. On the left of the corridor on the Strandway side is the emergency room, to be used in case of accidents, and directly ahead is the office, with a bay window, where keys and checks are obtained.
On either side of the office are toilet rooms, each containing six closets. Directly in front of the office, and running at right angles with the entrance corridor, is another corridor, from which branch many smaller ones, each of which is lined with closets.
This corridor running parallel with the Strandway, connects with two others, both on the east and west sides, running through the cov- ered wings and connecting with the various smaller corridors of the open wings. There are seventy-five closets in each of the covered wings reached by small corridors leading from the main ones and which also connect with the exits to the beach.
Adjoining the covered wings are the open wings, each of which contain 140 closets, built in groups of 10, intersected by corridors connecting with the main corridors and also with runways to the beach. A long platform extends the entire length of the building on the water side, and here, on either side of the central building, are two sets of shower baths, each set containing three showers.
At the right of the men's building is that of the women and girls. The central building was formerly a kindergarten school, but was thoroughly overhauled and fitted up to correspond with the main structure.
On the left side of the entrance facing the Strandway is the chil- dren's room, having 250 compartments for clothes. On the right side is the emergency room. Directly ahead is the office, and at either side of it are toilet rooms. In the office are 600 compartments for clothes.
The right wing contains 50 closets and four shower baths, with a. corridor running between and intersecting corridors connecting with the beach. The left wing is larger and contains 70 lockers and four shower baths.
At the left of the mens' building is the section for the boys. On the left of the entrance is the emergency room and on the right the toilet room. Directly ahead is the office filled with compartments where the boys place their clothing while in the water. Instead of closets these wings are filled with long seats running along the walls and branching at right angles upon which the boys sit while disrobing. They then take their clothing to the office.
The wings have doors leading to the beach. Outside, as in the- men's section, are long platforms, upon which are two sets of shower baths of three each.
307
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
On the beach side of the building the division of the different sec- tions is very apparent, as four long, high fences run from the building into the water.
The entire structure is built upon cement piers. Both central buildings and wings are lighted by electricity, and the entire structure is complete in every detail.
Until 1901 the bath was only at the disposal of the public when the tide served, three hours before and three hours after high tide. With the advent of the new bath-house this was changed. A wide channel was dug in order that water could be had at all times, and at present, whether the tide is high or low, those desiring to take advan- tage of the place, may do so without thought of the condition of the tide.
The most recent feature of the mens' bath is what is commonly known as the " sun parlor." This is a structure of glass, occupying a part of the platform just west of the main office. It is 30 feet long, 14 feet wide, with an average height of 10 feet. It was constructed by the hardy swimmers who visit the bath all the year round and pro- vides a shelter from the cold winds and yet gives access to the sun through both roof and sides.
It is a temporary structure of a portable design and is only for use during the winter. It is expected that the Bath Commission will pro- vide a much better and more artistic structure in the near future.
GYMNASIA.
South Boston already has one of the finest public gymnasiums in the country, that at Commonwealth Park, and the foundations have been laid for another structure of this kind on East Ninth Street, adjacent to the Strandway.
It can truthfully be said of the Commonwealth Park Gymnasium that no other institution of this kind in Boston is more complete or is more appreciated or successful than this one, and, even though it has only been a feature of this district for about two years, it num- bers its patrons in the thousands.
It was largely through the efforts of Alderman Michael W. Norris that this gymnasium was established, Through his efforts and those of many others who had interested themselves in the idea, the City Council appropriated $15,000 in 1897 for the erection and fitting out of the gymnasium, and work on the structure began in the fall of 1898, the state giving the city the use of the grounds upon which the building is built.
As the work progressed it became evident that more money would be necessary to complete it, and the City Council of 1898 appropriated $5,000 additional, and later a further appropriation of $8,000 was granted by the Board of Apportionment for its completion. The struc- ture was finished late in the spring of 1899, but was not fitted with
308
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
the necessary apparatus until the fall of that year, and it was finally officially opened Nov. 1, 1899.
The entire cost of the gymnasium was $28,000. The main entrance which leads to the office is on D Street, and the gymnasium is reached by passing to the left. It includes the entire length of the building, being 100 feet long and 75 feet wide, the distance from the floor to the roof being 26 feet. Windows on three sides of the gym- nasium and a series of windows close to the roof give excellent light and ventilation. At night arc and incandescent lights are used.
The gymnasium is fitted with al the appurtenances necessary for a modern institution of its kind, including nearly 200 assorted dumb- cte;t of strength, besides 3,000 pairs of wooden dumbbells for -
D-STREET GYMNASIUM - Exterior.
class work. There are two sculling machines, six climbing poles, six climbing ropes, two adjustable Swedish vaulting machines, two large mats, each weighing 500 pounds, and several smaller ones.
There is a fine horse for vaulting work and a buck, four pairs of horizontal bars, high jumping machines, vaulting machines, spring board, two pedaling machines, rope ladder, a 60-foot hand ladder and six parallel bars. The building is well equipped with flying rings, chest developers, 28 chest weight machines, four double chest machines, four medicine balls, two abdominal machines and numerous wands for drills. Then there are pedaling machines of bicycling pattern, machines for the head and shoulders, legs and neck, 250 pairs of Indian clubs, machines for squaring the shoulders and other paraphernalia. A balcony about eight feet above the floor encircles the entire gymnasium and upon this is built a 17-lap running track, covered with rubber and having raised corners. On the main floor adjoining the gymnasium is a room containing 300 lockers, the shower bath room, containing 18 shower baths, the superintendent's room, check room and key room.
309
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Above these rooms and approached by the stairways leading to the track are large toilet rooms, fitted with automatic fixtures and also dressing rooms for women. All of these rooms are excellently lighted and ventilated.
The boiler room is built apart from the gymnasium building being some 20 feet from the northwest corner. It contains a large horizontal boiler, fitted with return tanks and traps and is as complete in detail as the main building.
The building is for the use of all who desire to take advantage of it. Tuesdays and Thursdays are set apart for the women and girls,
SETA
D-STREET GYMNASIUM - Interior.
the rest of the week for men and boys, with the exception of Sunday. Supt. Walsh has charge of the gymnasium.
Through the efforts of Councilman Daniel V. McIsaac of Ward 15, in 1898, the City Government transferred $10,000 to the Bath Department for the purchase of land and the erection of a building to be used as a gymnasium and bathhouse in Ward 15, and the City Council also appropriated $2,500 for the same purpose.
The Bath Department after considerable study and advice from those who understood the needs of the neighborhood in which the bath- house was to be placed, finally decided on the location at East Ninth Street, between Dorchester and Mercer Streets. The land was pur-
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